Who can resist?

Posted on June 3, 2013 by jackiees

Who can resist a dolly or teddy bear, especially one dressed in a lace shawl you’ve knitted?

And especially when the pattern is free during June for KnitHeartStrings knit-along members.

Dolly’s Top-Down Tri Shawl

Dolly’s Top-Down Tri Shawl

Go to the Free Member Pattern area for more info and to download the pattern now and knit along with us during June while learning the basics of shaping a top-down triangular shawl with a knit-as-you-go lace edging bindoff. Already know? That’s ok; you can play with us anyway. And who knows, you might learn a trick or two from teddy.

Not a member yet? It’s free to join. Premium memberships are also available.

Let’s knit!

p.s. Tell your friends, too. The more the merrier!

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Shopping List for June BOBBOL KAL – Dolly’s Top-Down Tri Shawl

Posted on June 2, 2013 by jackiees

For June, we are doing BOTH beads and lace!

The little Faroese-style shawl KAL we did last year – A Bit of Lace Dolly Shawl – was extremely popular. Not too surprising because who can resist a dolly or teddy bear, especially one dressed in a lace shawl you’ve knitted?

So I worked up another dolly shawl design for you as this month’s June KAL – Dolly’s Top-Down Tri Shawl. This time we’ll cover the basics of shaping a top-down triangular lace shawl with a knit-as-you-go lace edging bindoff. Beads are placed while knitting using the crochet hook method (or you can just omit the beads if you want to). This project will be a great way to have fun learning on a small shawl before putting the time into a larger shawl.

Here is the Shopping List so you can collect your Tools and Supplies and be ready to start knitting as soon as I get the pattern completed and posted for June’s free download by members. Sorry no project photo yet — think of it as a mystery for a little while longer until I can get one taken and posted. :)

Shopping List for Dolly’s Top-Down Tri Shawl

Approximately 100 yards fingering weight yarn

Size US 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles suggested

264 size 6/0 (4 mm diameter) glass seed beads (approximately 22 g)

Tiny crochet hook or similar that is small enough to fit through the hole in beads

4 stitch markers

(optional) Extra stitch markers in a different color from the 4 stitch markers above; these can be used for marking off stitch pattern multiples

Tapestry needle

Collect your supplies

I’ll be back soon with the pattern and project photos. Meantime, shop your stash or give yourself an excuse to visit your favorite stores. What color yarn and beads will you use?

p.s. I show circular knitting needles in the picture above, but you can use straight needles if that is what you have/prefer. You’ll be knitting back and forth (not circularly) for this project. The body of the shawl will increase to 119 stitches, though, so you will probably find the longer cord of a circular needle will accommodate the stitches more comfortably.

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Blocking a Circular Lace Doily

Posted on May 29, 2013 by jackiees
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Decorative Crochet Chain Bind Off Technique for Lace Knitting (and knitted version)

Posted on May 29, 2013 by jackiees
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For Art’s Sake vs. Utilitarian – Does your knitting have to have a practical purpose?

Posted on May 27, 2013 by jackiees

Decorative Art – art for art’s sake
vs.
Applied Art – utilitarian / functional

Where does the Art of Knitting fit?

I’ve always thought of knitting primarily as serving the purpose of utilitarian art, although there certainly are many recent examples such as “yarn bombings” to show that it can be done for art’s sake alone. While planning this month’s Pinwheel Flower project, I wanted to touch on looking at knitting as a bit of art.

As I wrote last fall in Uses for Little Lacy Leaf Medallions -

Lacy Oak Leaf Medallion

“Personally, I don’t have to have an end-use in mind beforehand for everything I knit (you might have guessed that I am moreso a process knitter than a product knitter). But I sense that many people do want to have a purpose …”

I hope you are finding Pinwheel Flower designed to be BOTH attractive and useful …

“Bring a little bit of knitting art into your kitchen, bath, or dining entertainment. Make this practical, small piece of flower-inspired ‘art’ that you can use as a facecloth, tabletop coaster/doily, or stylish kitchen dishcloth.”

Why shouldn’t we go ahead and use/enjoy the pretty things we make? Or are you the type that is saying something like “that is too pretty to be used”?

Just for fun, I set up this poll. Your thoughts and comments are welcome.

Does your knitting have to have a practical purpose?
Ends June 15, 2013 @ 12:00 am

  • YES always (12 Votes)
  • YES usually (110 Votes)
  • Occasionally (51 Votes)
  • NO never (17 Votes)

Total Voters: 190

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May Prize Giveaway (and KHS Store “Summer Hours”)

Posted on May 26, 2013 by jackiees

Prize Drawing

Have you entered yet? In celebration of Memorial Day this month, Flag Day next month, and US Independence Day in July, this month’s Prize Pack to be given to a lucky winner at the end of May 2013 is a complete yarn/beads/pattern kit valued at over $35 to make a pair of Patriotic Bead Striped Socks. For more information and how to enter, visit the Prize Drawings page.  (Note: Premium Members are automatically entered each month for the Prize Drawing.)

Patriotic Bead Striped Socks Kit

Patriotic Bead Striped Socks Kit

“Summer Hours” for the Online Store here at KnitHeartStrings

My studio is closed for the summer and I will NOT be shipping tangible merchandise listed in the KnitHeartStrings Store such as kits, supplies and books. However, for your summer knitting pleasure, instant downloadable pdf e-patterns will still be available throughout the summer (and their purchase will also qualify towards entry to Prize Giveaways).

Questions? Contact me: jackie@heartstringsfiberarts.com

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Easy “Cheating” Center Start for Double Point Needles

Posted on May 26, 2013 by jackiees
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